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Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) walks off the field after falling to BYU 29-26 in overtime at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson (26) shows that the pass was no good after Jackson broke up a pass intended for a BYU receiver at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt calls from the sideline during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee defensive lineman Greg Emerson (90) walks off the field after falling to BYU 29-26 in overtime during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee defensive lineman Ja'Quain Blakely (48) reacts after making a play during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks to pass during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee linebacker Henry To'o To'o (11) reacts after making a play during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) runs the ball as BYU linebacker Matthew Criddle (17) defends during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee punter Joe Doyle (47) reacts after Tennessee placekicker Brent Cimaglia (42) made a 51-yard field goal during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee punter Joe Doyle (47) reacts after Tennessee placekicker Brent Cimaglia (42) made a 51-yard field goal during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

BYU defensive back Sawyer Powell (28), BYU defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku (5) and Tennessee tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson (4) chase the ball during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

BYU wide receiver Micah Simon (13) is tackled by Tennessee defensive back Shawn Shamburger (12) and Tennessee defensive back Warren Burrell (4) during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee offensive lineman Dayne Davis (66) takes the field ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee defensive back Tyus Fields (17) takes the field ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith (73) takes the field ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson (4) takes the field ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee linebacker Henry To'o To'o (11) and BYU linebacker Chaz Ah You (3) shake hands at the end of the game during a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) walks off the field after falling to BYU 29-26 in overtime at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) walks off the field after falling to BYU 29-26 in overtime at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Big play dooms Vols

BYU mustered only one play that went for at least 20 yards until its final possession of regulation. The Cougars faced a third-and-6 from their own 20 with 17 seconds remaining when Simon slipped behind cornerback Alontae Taylor.

Taylor caught up with Simon to prevent him from scoring a game-winning touchdown, but not before he’d positioned Jacob Oldroyd for a 33-yard field goal to force overtime.

Jarrett Guarantano has rocky showing

Guarantano’s first touchdown pass was a gift. He threw into a wall of defenders. Linebacker Kavika Fonua batted the pass, and the ricochet fell into the hands of Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings for a fortunate touchdown on a fourth-and-3 play.

Fonua intercepted Guarantano during the third quarter after Guarantano threw into triple coverage. BYU converted the short field into a touchdown.

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) walks off the field after falling to BYU 29-26 in overtime at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019.(Photo: Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel)

Guarantano had another costly mistake during the second quarter. Jennings was open in the end zone, but Guarantano didn’t lead him with the pass. Jennings had to slow his stride, allowing defensive back Austin Lee to catch up and break up the pass. The Vols settled for a field goal.

Later, Guarantano had Josh Palmer open downfield and launched it over his head.

Credit Guarantano for threading a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jennings on third down to force a second overtime.

Tennessee defense steady – until the end

Curiously, BYU didn’t commit to establishing the run until the second half, even though Georgia State upset Tennessee thanks in large part because of its ability to move the ball on the ground.

BYU finished with 107 rushing yards on 30 carries.

Tennessee’s defense mostly cleaned up the missed assignments and mental errors that hampered it against Georgia State. The Vols also did a better job pressuring the quarterback, sacking Wilson four times.

Tennessee had a 418-339 advantage in total offense.

Tennessee establishes the run

A three-time Mr. Football from Memphis, running back Eric Gray was one of the top prizes of coach Jeremy Pruitt’s 2019 signing class after he flipped his commitment from Michigan. He’s establishing himself as an explosive player. Gray’s shiftiness, speed and versatility were all on display again Saturday.

He gained 77 yards on 17 carries and added two receptions.

Ty Chandler was even better. He rushed for a game-high 154 yards on 26 carries. Chandler didn't play a single offensive snap during the second half of the season opener after fumbling in the second quarter of that game. He showed Saturday that the Vols can't afford to have him on the bench.

Tennessee’s offensive line proved effective in run blocking, although it was unsteady in pass protection.

Greyson Cook, 5, of White House, Tennessee, holds a sign ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) during the Vol Walk ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee punter Paxton Brooks (37) greets fans during the Vol Walk ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Daniel Barton, of Norris, holds his daughter Audrey, 6, during the Vol Walk ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt during the Vol Walk ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

A loved one of Tennessee punter Joe Doyle (47) watches the Vol Walk ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Joe Osovet, Director of Programming for Football, during the Vol Walk ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Sean and Chatney Turner, newlyweds on their honeymoon from Indiana, were one of the first people to purchase beer in Neyland Stadium during the BYU on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Saturday was the first time beer was sold at a football game since the SEC changed its alcohol policies earlier this year. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

A Pride of the Southland Band member walks into the stadium ahead of a game between Tennessee and BYU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel